Ambokire manifesto case goes to court, multiparty forum quashes it

Lawyer Ambokire Salim is facing Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC) legal team in the High Court as the battle on whether politicians should be forced to deliver on their campaign promises or not starts in earnest n the afternoon.

Lawyer Salimu

MEC spokesman Sangwani Mwafulirwa said MEC attorneys has already applied that the pollster be grated leave for judicial review.

He however refused to comment on Salim’s view, saying the commission’s stance would be known in court as commenting on the issue which is already in court would be prejudice.

Salim wants the court to rule that politicians who fail to deliver on their campaign promises, usually contained in party manifestos, must be punished for lying to unsuspecting voters.

“I don’t understand how the lawyer wants to do that because a manifesto is just a wish list of those aspiring to be in government or to hold a public office. To come u with a legislation to force a politician fulfill a wish list is baffling,” he said.

He said though these sounds good, it would be difficult to enforce such a legislation.

Tenthani said some of the promises could not be fulfilled because of financial constraints and the executive is not the only branch of government to make dreams come a reality as parliament has to be consulted as well on some issues so what if parliament rejects some of the promises.

He also was of the view that Salim has sued a wrong party, saying MEC mandate is to run elections, they are managers of a electoral process.

“Maybe he could have sued the registrar of political parties, maybe, but I don’t subscribe to this idea anyway,” he said.

Tenthani gave credit to President Peter Mutharika for implementing some of his campaign promises, saying he promised to have a 20 member cabinet, he has stuck to that.

of course ndizowona kuti they should explain. but iam not sure the practicality of ambokire. I have never held it at this earth. may be he has anew political or legal theory he wants to be accredited to. we shall see

The constitution is very clear on the mandate of MEC. It is to run elections and not to regulate political parties. The lawyer is confused and just wants media attention. This case will definitely fail. Fellow lawyers advise your friend please!!!!

I think Mr Tenthani did not see the DPP’s manifesto. Amongst all the promises which were more than ten and the only one they delivered was of 20 cabinet ministers but with a congregation of advisers costing the same as a big cabinet could. Where is the information bill? What about the effectiveness of the malata cement subsidy program? What about presidential powers Peter was barking about reducing around the country? What about the independent anti corruption bureau? What about kuthetsa njala? What about the promise he made that his first thing he was going to do if elected was… Read more »